“The Ipperwash inquiry, called by McGuinty just months after his election, included the first thorough examination of the origins and dynamics of Canadian native protest and its consequences.”

Dear Ms Walters:

Including this email, I have now contacted 3 different Spectator reporters and your Editor-in-Chief on several occasions to advise that we have evidence proving that the Ipperwash Inquiry deliberately suppressed all evidence of native crime against innocent residents in Ipperwash (which is why not a single one of its 100 recommendation has anything to do with preventing violence against residents.)

This is the 3rd time I have written to Mr. Estok offering to brief Spectator staff on our Ipperwash Papers project, to bring the documents in and to answer any questions you might have – about Ipperwash or about us.

I’m sorry, but there is no excuse for any Spectator reporter to give the public the false impression that the Ipperwash Inquiry was a thorough investigation of the facts. It wasn’t and we can prove it.

I’ve cc’d this email to long time Ipperwash resident and community leader Mary-Lou LaPratte who was instrumental in providing us with documents and information. This remarkable woman went with us to the Queen’s Park Media Studio on March 14/07 to release the Ipperwash Papers. I would be pleased to provide her phone number to you on request.

May I suggest that you review the 2 attached documents. One is a two-page summary of our evidence, the other is a victim impact statement written in 1996 by the town’s CAO. This shocking document alone reveals that the Ipperwash Inquiry never discovered the true cause of Dudley George’s death as the town believed it to be.

I do not know why the Spectator has, so far, ignored evidence on a subject of vital importance to the province, but I wish very much that it would show some interest – preferably BEFORE someone is killed – in knowing why McGuinty’s ‘scrupulous’ adherence to the Inquiry’s recommendations brought Ontario to the brink of another Dudley George-type death in Deseronto.

No meaningful healing or reconciliation can take place without truth. I would hope that the Spectator would be interested in being a source of accurate information.

Please feel free to contact me any time, day or night.

Mark 519.457.0709 cell: 519.xxx.xxxx

Note: the three authors of the Ipperwash Papers have written a 1600 [word] op-ed article outlining the legacy of the Ipperwash cover-up. I would be pleased to forward it on request for your consideration for publication.

“My hope is that one day people will come to Caledonia, not to study the destruction caused by those who would do evil to other human beings for their own selfish purposes, but to learn about your culture, about the damage that was done to it, and how Caledonians – native and non-native – came together as one in the dark days to peacefully proclaim Six Nations and the rest of Haldimand County as a sanctuary from that evil.”

The Hamilton Spectator isn’t the only newspaper to suppress or ignore important information about Caledonia and/or Ipperwash, but given their proximity to the area and the enormous impact of the Ipperwash legacy on it, one would expect that they’d recognize their responsibility of reporting the whole story, no matter how ugly, inconvenient or politically-incorrect it might be.

There will be no meaningful, long term solution to creating positive relationships between native and non-native communities except in an environment of truth and justice. As Martin Luther King Jr. wrote from the Birmingham Jail in response to criticism for raising tensions as an ‘outsider’:

Actually, we who engage in nonviolent direct action are not the creators of tension. We merely bring to the surface the hidden tension that is already alive. We bring it out in the open, where it can be seen and dealt with. Like a boil that can never be cured so long as it is covered up but must be opened with all its ugliness to the natural medicines of air and light, injustice must be exposed, with all the tension its exposure creates, to the light of human conscience and the air of national opinion before it can be cured.

I would urge any media outlet that is tempted to stifle the truth, whether out of fear of backlash from extremists, or out of political ideology, to heed Dr. King’s words and help move us closer to the day when the boils of native extremism, racially-based policing and legitimate native grievances can be eradicated from Ontario in the light of human conscience and national opinion.

One response to “CANACE letter to Hamilton Spectator Editor-in-Chief”

The reluctance of the press to run with a scandalsstory like this is telling of how intimidated our press must be of the current regime. Political scandal is the media’s first love…why is Ipperwash a media taboo?

When the press fears government reprisals for publishing truths that may damage that government, we are living in a defacto tyranny…no I’m not afraid to state the obvious which all too many are reluctant to believe, but none the less know to be true.

With the McLean’s and Western Standard and Halifax Herald facing government assaults on press freedom and the National Post’s HRC related SLAPP suits and the reluctance of GTA papers to publish the Ipperwash scandal…it is obvious the media fears political reprisals for publishing damaging political truths…that is a textbook example of a tyranny folks.

VoC REPLY: Hi WL. I can’t imagine what possible good the media think will come of suppressing one of the most outrageous cover-ups in Ontario history. How does it help society as a whole to have the McGuinty government try to justify race-based policing on a foundation of lies?

I don’t know the real reason for the wilful blindness. I don’t know if it’s political ideology, or dollars and cents. We do know, of course, that McGuinty’s cronies have threatened CHTV on more than one occasion:

I understand that they might be skeptical. But, hell, hasn’t any one at the Spec ever watched ‘All the President’s Men?’ The same media that refuses to listen to evidence of the Ipperwash cover-up reprints Fantino’s slanderous rants without giving us the chance to rebut his irrational accusations, never, apparently, considering asking Fantino a simple question, “DO YOU HAVE ANY EVIDENCE?”

Democracy is threatened every time a media outlet sits on a story or regurgitates political bullshit without questioning it.

Why is it that a small group of ordinary citizens with (less than!) zero resources are forced to conduct research and investigations AND then fight media to tell the truth?
Isn’t it enough that we have to fight the OPP, politicians and native extremists?

Regards, Mark

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Fighting for justice in the Caledonia no-go zone: Our story in our words

“McHale is that rarest of modern Canadian creatures — a man who acts on principle, lives and breathes it in fact.” — Christie Blatchford, National Post columnist and author of ‘Helpless: Caledonia’s Nightmare of Fear And Anarchy, And How The Law Failed All Of Us’; from her foreword to Gary McHale’s ‘Victory In The No-Go Zone.’

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Christie Blatchford: Caledonia law = Deep South law

“…the law in Haldimand County operates as the law in America’s Deep South once worked, where there was one law for the white man, who could break it with impunity, and another for the black man. In Haldimand County, since the occupation began, there has been one law for natives and another for non-natives.“

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"And Mark and Gary, thank you for making us feel like we are not alone in this and that there are other Canadians who care." Elaine, Caledonia resident

"Mark, I just want to say thanks again for your diligence and your help with our struggle here in Caledonia. Thanks also to Gary, without his web site no one would know the lengths the government and the OPP will go to appease terrorists. I don't know how much more the residents who live along the occupied zone can take. I know for myself, I feel lost with nowhere to turn, with little to no help. I do however, thank God for you and Gary. Keep up the good work." Caledonia resident

"Dear Mark: this is my first visit to your site and I absolutely love it. I’m from Caledonia and have been fighting the two tiered justice system since day one. Thank you so much for following Gary McHale’s involvement and coming to Caledonia." Beth

"There are many injustices going on in Canada at the moment, especially in First Nation Territory. They could sure use a man of your passion to give them a hand! Sincerely, Rob"

"From the bottom of my heart, I thank you and Gary and all those who are willing to put your lives on hold to fight for freedom, democracy, law and order. They are definitely worth fighting for. If only I was 20 years younger. God Bless you all !" Cora

"I have to commend you on your writing, very direct, effective and from the heart." David Hartless

"Thanks Mark, and also to you Gary. You guys rock, to stand up for us when no one else will is just great. I can’t even stand up for myself for fear of retaliation against my family." 'BeothucVSA'

"Mark, I would just like to say that I was more than proud to stand in Caledonia on Jan 20th with men like yourself, Gary, Chris and Merlin." Larry Dicy

"We need all the help we can get and owe so much to 'outsiders.' Keep up the good work." Margaret

"I personally appreciate the concern and support of Gary and yourself." Donna Reid

"I enjoy reading posts from a true journalist especially one who holds the truth above all other objectives." Jim Anderson

"Again, thank you Mark for a great job at keeping the focus on the issue at hand that is Two Tier Justice and Equality issues." Lisa Parent

"Good stuff Mark...truth is the greatest weapon against corruption and the wider the truth is sewn the less the grip of the corruptors." WL Mackenzie Redux

"That was so nice of you to make that phone call to Jack on our behalf. Your article on Jack was very touching. [enter 'Let's remember Jack tomorrow' in search box above]Thank you for standing up along with Gary and fighting this issue for Canada and Jack too. It is one big can of worms." Mary, Kelowna, BC

"Congratulations and many thanks to you tireless freedom fighters in CANACE. What a Canada Day present this was. I nominate you all, particularly Judge Marshall, for an Order of Canada award. Many people talk about rights, freedom, and equity under law, but few focus their actions on delivering it. You guys are the genuine article. Thank you again." Caledonia resident